To coincide with the opening of ITB Berlin Travel Show and Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale in early March 2018, the CMV Travel & Leisure Group announced the acquisition of Pacific Eden from P&O Cruises Australia.
Pacific Eden’s new name will be announced on Tuesday 20 March and the vessel will join CMV’s expanding fleet with delivery in Singapore in early April 2019 followed by a short docking period to include livery change, re-brand and some preparatory works before she positions westbound to Northern Europe via the Suez on her inaugural voyage.
Continuing the explorer theme, four distinguished explorers have been shortlisted for the ship’s new name and the travel trade and Columbus Club Members will be invited to cast their vote.
The shortlist includes; Vasco da Gama, Pytheas, Henry Hudson and Amerigo Vespucci and biographies are attached.
The new ship will be deployed and dedicated to both the German and Australasian cruise markets. During the northern summer (May-October) the ship will operate under CMV’s German brand, TransOcean Kreuzfahrten homeporting from both Bremerhaven and Kiel and during the Australian summer season (December-March) from Fremantle (Perth) and Adelaide offering a more traditional scenic cruise experience.
CMV’s UK, North American and wider global markets will also be marketing the voyages between Europe and the Antipodes and the wider Australian season. The ship has a rich heritage and maritime pedigree and was originally launched in 1994 by Holland America Line as the Statendam.
At 55,820grt and with an impressive space ratio, she will carry 1150 passengers accommodated in 630 cabins (including 100 singles and 149 balcony suites and cabins with an 80% ocean view ratio). She will operate alongside CMV’s flagship, Columbus (1,400pax), Magellan (1,300pax), Marco Polo (800pax), Astor (600pax) and Astoria (550pax).
Christian Verhounig, CEO and Chairman of CMV explained, “We are very pleased to have concluded this deal and firmly believe that Pacific Eden (TBR) will be a very popular addition to our fleet. This stylish traditional vessel is ideally suited to our business model and is in very good shape following a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2016. As part of our mid-term growth plans the ship will provide the requirement level of extra capacity needed in Australia and Germany as we continue to grow our international business.
Chris Coates, Group Commercial Director added, “Pacific Eden is an excellent addition to our fleet and the strategic development of the Group’s presence in the German and Australian markets will increase overall capacity to just below 150,000 ocean cruise passengers in 2019”.
Klaus Ebner, Head of Marketing and Sales at TransOcean Kreuzfahrten commented, “We are very pleased to be able to significantly increase the capacity for our guests with this fine new ship and her wide range of facilities and to be able to offer even more exciting and varied itineraries. What’s missing is a name but all will be revealed on 20th March.”
The Australian summer 2019-20 season will be released during autumn 2018.
